I’m delighted to welcome to my blog today, Janine Pulford to talk about her latest book “Paws in the Flood”.
Since childhood Janine has been an avid reader and as well as novels, she’s now written seven, she loves writing poetry and short stories.
Married for nearly 50 years to Nick who is her anchor, no matter what the sea conditions, they both love sailing and used to race yachts in their younger years.
In 2003, Janine co-founded a successful Dorset publishing company, renamed Pulford Publicity in honour of her late father-in-law Eric, a well-known film poster designer who sketched the artwork for “The Whispering Waters”, although Eric was much more famous for his James Bond posters and the gun over the shoulder pose.
. Following her retirement in 2024, the family-run business, which publishes local magazines, is now run by her two sons.
I normally offer my guests some form of refreshment, so would you like tea or coffee? Obviously, this week, hot cross buns seem appropriate, can I interest in you one, or two, and would you like it hot or cold? Yes and hot please! I think I can find a dog biscuit for Max.
Max Nowza, a crime-busting Schnauzer delves into a whodunit mystery to save his owner from a miscarriage of justice.
Children, dog owners and anyone who can relate to the smell of fox poo will love heroic main character and narrator of this story, Max Nowza.
When out on his morning walk with his lead-meister, Max sniffs out another local dog owner – Joe – badly injured and barely alive. Detectives swoop in and alarming evidence results in Max’s lead-meister (affectionately known as Adorable) being arrested for a crime he is certain she didn’t commit. It falls on Max’s four paws to prove her innocent.Despite many clues, Max’s ability to solve the crime is hampered by human obstacles. Eventually, he has to outwit his local policeman Spratty, (P.C. Spratt), and pinpoint the real crime scene, but will it reveal the right paws in the flood?
Janine, there were some real laugh out loud moments in this book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Max Nowza is such a delightful and unique narrator, what made you decide to tell this story from a dog’s perspective?
Oddly, my own dog Max took on the role of narrator rather than me choosing him. His voice was stronger than the other characters, he has his own vocabulary and his pin-sharp memory became a magnificent plot device. He got right inside my head.
Where did the idea for this book come from?
It was inspired by a dog walking diary I kept about Max for a year. His social circle grew and grew as did his knowledge of which lead-meister carried the best treats. He really did fall backwards when over-begging for a treat.
Would you describe yourself as a plotter or a pantser?
Definite pantser. Just like Max. No plotting at all, we go where the weather takes us.
The book blends humour with mystery well and I’m sure will appeal to the adult, as well as the young adult market, did you find the humour or mystery elements easier to write?
Max planted the humour, I worked on the mystery. The mystery was the hardest part. However, with humour one never knows if it works or not. I am so glad you found it laugh out loud in places.
I know any community of dog walkers can have a colourful cast! Do you have a favourite character (besides Max!) and why?
Frankie the rapper poodle stole my heart. I would like him as my next pet. Does anyone know where rapping poodles can be purchased?
Where is your fictional town of Chiddle-Pon-Piddle based on?
I can’t reveal. There is a River Piddle in Dorset though, so I borrowed the name Piddle because it has a tinkle to it.
As I have two dogs of my own and we are always looking for good walks, what would be a walk that you’d recommend round Chiddle-Pon-Piddle?
I always think a river walk is ideal with a dog and there are plenty of rivers in Dorset. In Verwood, for example, there’s a river with a dedicated dog playing area. It’s as you walk from Potterne Park to Moors Valley. This is not where the story is based, but Max has been there. He may have left a pawprint or two.
Apparently, there are several apps on the market these days which claim to translate dog barks into human emotions and needs, such as Barkly, WoofGPT, and BarkLator., which analyse your pet’s sounds and send you a text to let you know what your dog is saying. Do you think Adorable could do with one of these?
She may be sniffy about an app that claims to interpret her dog’s barks. I think she feels she understands Max well enough. However, Max might like her to try one out.
What does a writing day look like for you?
It varies but I write at my best in the early morning. Any moment I can snatch during the day can easily be filled with writing. I don’t have a specific routine.
A question, another writer asked me last year, was what was on my vision board for 2026? So, I thought it would be fun to ask all my guests this year if they would share one item on their board for 2026 – I might come back to you to later in the year and ask whether you achieved it! So what would be one item on yours?
The year is whizzing by already, but I’d like to republish one of my previous novels.
And finally, what’s next from the Janine Pulford stable?
Max Nowza is already on another case. It’s a whodunnit involving birds of prey. My ginger rescue cat Taz wants to star in it, so I’ll have to wait and see how Max feels about that.
Thank you for talking to me today, Janine, and good luck with this book. Anni x
Book Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/095550225X
Social Media Links: https:/facebook.com/janinepulford
Anni Rose’s six uplifting and heartfelt romantic comedies are now available from Amazon in one box set:
